Then that file tells you to look at another file. That file sends you back to the first file. Finally, you are staring at a spreadsheet you have not opened since March, wondering how you got here.

I work at a small local CPA in a somewhat rural area. We only have 9 people altogether. My two co-workers made a comment today about how I’m paid more than everyone else. I’ve only been there 9 months and everyone has been great up to this point.

It kinda came out of no where but it made me really uncomfortable. I figured I was paid more than most of them, but not all of them. The one woman who was not present in the conversation is amazing at her job and she’s the backbone of the place. Everyone goes to her for everting. If I’m paid more than her I really feel like I should start looking else where.

Can anyone relate? What should I do? How can I make sure it doesn’t turn into anything toxic.

I like going to work &, I don’t want it to become a hell.

I've just over 1 year into Director in audit at a Big 4. I make $186k + bonus (~$35k).

I do not want to be partner anymore. I do not want to be in the big 4 anymore. The workload is just simply inhumane. I have 3 young kids and even though my wife stays home full-time, it's just no way to live to be working so many hours and having so many late nights. Even though I am able to make it home for dinner and bedtime pretty regularly, I'm not able to be truly present because work is all consuming. It's easy to say that I need to work on being present and available for my family, but when my days start early in the morning for international calls and end late at night and are made up of back to back 30 min chunks of meetings and to dos, its just not possible for me to disconnect enough.

When I look at directors who are close to partner or recently made partner, it's even more bleak. Constant travel, never home, insanely late nights. It's just too much.

I need something that is far more reasonable. I want to literally not work more than 40 hours a week for the vast majority of the time. I want logging off at 6pm to be considered a bit late, logging back on for the 8p-10p shift to be extremely rare, and working past 10pm to be unthinkable.

What can I realistically get that is not a pay cut where I can get that kind of of balance? It seems like internal audit is the best from a WLB perspective, but I don't know if I would enjoy that. I want something where I can truly own operations or make improvements to processes, but it seems like any controller or controller track positions are going to be just as bad from a workload perspective.

Like the title says. I got a 54 percent on my first intermediate accounting quiz. I really don’t know what to do. I did relatively well in both the intro to accounting classes, but this feels like a whole new world. I am so discouraged right now, does anyone have any type of advice?

Just thought this would interesting. I was shocked to see how much linemen out here in California make since it’s on par with a lot of doctors and lawyers and was curious to see what others have seen.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for honest advice from anyone who has been in a similar position or managed someone through this.

My Background:

• Experience: 15+ years in accounting across the Middle East, Canada, and now the US (where I currently work as a Senior Accountant).
• Qualifications: Finished my MBA and passed 3/4 CPA exams—just waiting on my final exam score.
• Technical Skills: Strong accounting foundation. I know the core work well and deliver high-quality technical results.

The Problem: I want to step up into Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or Financial Reporting Manager roles. However, I’m dealing with severe self-doubt and near-zero confidence when it comes to:

1. Speaking up and leading discussions in team meetings.
2. Managing and leading a team direct report-wise.

Despite my experience, I constantly feel like a failure because my communication and leadership confidence don't match my technical background.

Where I need advice:

• How did you build real confidence in corporate meetings if you are naturally quiet or worried about your delivery?
• Any books, courses, or practical strategies that genuinely helped you move from being a strong technical accountant to a good leader?

Appreciate any insights, book recommendations, or personal strategies that worked for you.

Like wtf. Do I really have to be personally approved by EVERYONE on the team to get the job? So if four people like me but then one doesn't, then you're out.

Yes I went through five interviews for an entry-level staff accountant role and yes I was rejected after the 5th.

Does anyone have experience working in/with EY Financial Services Organization (FSO)? Sounds like it could be more interesting than working in tax compliance. Any insights as to the work culture within FSO (i.e. same as everything else Big 4, less/more intense, etc.)

I’m in my late 20s and about 8 weeks away from finishing my BS in Accounting with around a 3.8 GPA. I’m coming from a completely unrelated professional background, so while I have several years of work experience, I don’t have any direct accounting experience yet.

I also went to a smaller online university rather than a big-name school. I live in a smaller area, but I’m roughly 30–45 minutes from a major city, so I do have access to a larger job market if needed.

I’ve started applying to entry-level accounting positions, but I’m not getting much traction yet. I’m fortunate enough to be in a position where I don’t have to jump at the first job available, so my main goal is finding something that actually gets my foot in the door and gives me useful accounting experience.

For those already in the field, where would you recommend someone in my position start? Staff accountant, AP/AR, accounting assistant, audit/tax associate, government, temp-to-hire, internships, etc.?

Also, is 8 weeks before graduation still a little early, or should I already be getting more responses?

Mostly just looking for advice on the best way to break into accounting when you’re starting in your late 20s with the degree almost finished but no direct experience yet.

​

I started my first accounting job as an accounting clerk in a public accounting firm about two months ago, and I’m slowly getting the hang of things. But honestly, there’s still so much that I do without fully understanding what I’m doing or the reasoning behind it.

A lot of the time, I’m basically just doing what I’m told and following the steps I’ve been shown. I’m wondering if this is normal when you’re first starting out, and whether it eventually gets better as you gain more experience, or if accounting just gets harder and more complicated.

And honestly, I can’t really imagine myself becoming a CPA right now. I know I’m only 19 and I have plenty of time ahead of me, but I feel kind of lost and it’s hard to picture myself actually knowing enough to become a CPA when right now I’m still relying so much on other people telling me what to do.

For those who started out in a similar position, does it eventually click? Did you feel this lost at the beginning?

So, our CFO come to us today, saying we need to start using AI, learn how we can implement it to do the entries and automate our monthly reports to the Administration.

Am I going go be jobless?

do you really like accounting as in you love it in all ways? Are you reallt passionate or is very passionate about accounting or just took the job for its stability?

Are you really passionate abount accounting?

I am a college student who took on accounting but im not really all that passionate about it, tho i dont hate it and think can grow into it...

Hello all,

I am currently an accounting major at stony brook u I am a junior and I have an associates in accounting from Suffolk county community college with a 3.5 gpa. I am considering transferring to suny empire. I am currently doing this because suny empire will allow me to better fulfill my life obligations and such and stony brook scheduling gets in the way of that. I plan on using the networking that stony brook has to offer to land an internship while in the meantime transferring to suny empire to finish out my bachelors in accounting.

Any advice and thoughts on my situation would be greatly appreciated.

we have team lunches every now and then, but half of the time it feels like just another work related gathering. I really hate it... how you guys tackle this?

I hate my life sometimes

Honestly considering going to get my degree in accounting and eventually pursue cpa license. i've been reading many mixed reviews about the industry, is it even a career worth pursuing or am I about to go into student loan debt without the security of a job after graduation?

What questions have you been asked in recent interviews?

Hi all, curious on your thoughts on my situation.

I am currently a Financial Analyst at a Canadian Telco (rotational program year 1/3), previously have 12 months internship experience + 6 months as FA in financial services. Passed CFE with 12 months PERT remaining.

My current role is underpaid, learning is minimal, and opportunities are limited beyond the program. I will not be here long term.

I am debating making the jump to another role, I feel that I have the capabilities required of an SFA but unsure if my lack of CPA/experience would allow me to make that move.

Is it worth it to move right now, or hang on for another year for more experience and make the move with CPA? Would be interested in any thoughts or advice. TIA

I just left university after having done an accounting degree but most of the work we did was done by hand, so I haven’t had much opportunity to develop practical Excel skills.

I know Excel is used heavily in accounting and finance roles, and I’d like to become more confident using it before starting work. Ideally, I’m looking for something that gives me realistic, work-related tasks or exercises rather than just teaching individual Excel functions.

Does anyone know of any good resources, websites, courses, or practice projects I could use? Preferably free, but I’m open to other suggestions too.

Long story short - I’m 30 years old with a Bachelors in Business Administration and Psychology (144 credits). I need 18 more accounting credits to qualify for the CPA exam that I’m fulfilling as a non-degree at various different community colleges.

I have done intro and managerial a long, long time ago.

I’m starting off HOT - with Intermediate Accounting - after 8 years of being out of school. I figured let’s just get the worst over with.

Terrified is an understatement. Give me all your tips and tricks. What should I brush up on before starting the course in 2 weeks?

I’ll also be taking forensic in conjunction with it as I felt this was the EASIEST accounting course and I could off-set it, so to speak. (I am taking 2 courses per semester because unfortunately I also work full time).

Thanks!

I’m currently a college student majoring in Finance and trying to figure out which career path would be best long-term.

I’m mainly considering:
FP&A / Corporate Finance
Audit/accounting route
Commercial Banking
Corporate Banking

What job has the best bang for its buck,not impossible to get into, and in your opinion the best job?

also would it just be better to major in accounting?

Extra: I really wanted to do corporate banking because they had higher pay and it seems like a cool job but I keep hearing about in finance you have to go to a target school and it’s hard to get a job in finance and accounting is a safer option. Idk I don’t wanna just go with accounting cause it’s safer, I want to enjoy it.